Anyone know anything about Eaglesham?

[kennethm]

Sorry for going a little off thread but I found this letter to the editor in the North Otago Times:

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bi ... --1----2--

Not sure how far Alan will get on with this...

Kenneth

[Russell]

Thanks for that great find Kenneth. It was worth going ever so slightly off topic. I wasn't able to sort out whether he was an Ayrshire man or from Lanarkshire originally. Some of his comments were appropriate for todays political climate here in the U.K. too.

Russell

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings Kenneth and Russell.

What a clip ! Right at home, yet from half way around the world, and upside down - too boot.

And no, that clip does not "DROOKIT" me with words I don't understand. I get the drift, but don't have the accent to say it out loud. With post WWI Irish Grand Parents on the Maternal side and a Grand Father, though 1st generation Kiwi, raised in a mixed Irish & Scott's NZ community, I can read - and understand it.

Alan SHARP.

[macdog]

Just to add oil to the fire, being Renfrewshire myself, I would suggest that the emphasise in Eaglesham is not on the vowel in either "sham" or "shum" but is pronounced slightly quicker, more as "shm". But like a lot of places, local dialect may be different from that of the wider population!

Alison

[Hibee]

You're right, Alison, as the "s" belongs to the "eagle", rather than the "ham".

Hibee

[kennethm]

Here's some exciting news about the new Eaglesham Heritage Trail...

Eaglesham’s Heritage Trail is to be officially opened by the Earl and Countess of Eglinton in September of this year. The trail was suggested by local historian, Bill Niven, and funding from the LEADER Fund was made available and also a grant from the Big Lottery Heritage Fund. Bill is well known in the East Kilbride and Eaglesham area for his passion for, and immense knowledge, of local history. He is also a regular columnist on local history matters for the East Kilbride News.

A resident of Eaglesham since the 1970s, Bill has been tasked with co-ordinating the Heritage Trail for the Village. Work is on progress on organising the opening event which will take place on Friday 2 September at 12 noon, with special guests, the Earl and Countess of Eglinton carrying out the honours.

In total there will be nine glass-reinforced plastic interpretation panels in the Village. The Map Board, situated near to the Montgomerie Hall and Library, will display location maps and images of the Village containing photographs and text to relate the story of Eaglesham.

A colourful Trail Guide will be produced and will include map details and photographs of the interpretation panels and a further dozen historic locations including the Rudolf Hess landing site at Floors Farm and Dripps Mill at Waterfoot. The Tour Guide will be available free from Eaglesham Library and other East Renfrewshire libraries, the Visitor Centre at Whitelee Wind Farm, the Best Western Eglinton Arms Hotel, the Wishing Well Tearoom, Post & Presents, Post Office, and Alan Fulton, Jeweller.

Eaglesham Planned Village was created by Alexander, 10th Earl of Eglinton in 1769 and has, over the centuries, developed into the most attractive inland Planned Village in Scotland, and takes pride of place as East Renfrewshire’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’.

All the best,

Ken

Ed The Evening Times featured the trail in an article this week:

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/edit ... -1.1115089

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings.

Fantastic news Kenneth.

Alan SHARP.

[sheilajim]

Hi Kenneth,

This is good news. Too bad that there aren't more historical villages.

[kennethm]

The new Eaglesham Heritage Trail was officially opened on Fri. 2 Sept.

The trail is about one mile in length and interpretation panels take the visitor through one thousand years of history in words and pictures. A guide which is available at a number of places in the village accompanies the trail.

The event was marked by an inspection of the trail which included representatives of the Eaglesham & Waterfoot Community Development Trust, Eaglesham & Waterfoot Community Council, Eaglesham Feuars' Society, East Renfrewshire Council as well as the Earl and Countess of Eglinton and Winton.

A local history exhibition included information and photographs of local places, the work of artist John Macguire, maps and information about the current archaeological survey of the Orry and a display artefacts was held in a marquee to the sounds of the Westwood Jazz Band.

Speeches included Jim MacLean, Chair of Eaglesham & Waterfoot Community Council, Provost Alex Mackie, Bill Niven of Eaglesham Feuars' Society, the Earl of Eglinton and Councillor Alastair Carmichael. The Countess presented prizes to local school children who designed shields to accompany several of the interpretation panels.

Eaglesham Parish Church, St. Bridget's Church and Statue House were open to the public during the day.

Many visitors from near and far including members of the Clan Montgomery from the U.S.A. took in the atmosphere.

It was a truly memorable day in East Renfrewshire's jewel in the crown.

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings Eaglesham.

It’s occasions like that, that make all the years of back room toil so rewarding. With the heritage we can hand down, comes pride, and respect for a community. Something that is sadly lacking, in many places today.

Disenfranchised youth can be so destructive, it's a pity they have no grasp of the sacrifice their fore bares made, so that they could enjoy the privileges, so gained. Instead they undervalue them, and consider they are theirs as of right.

Lets hope more villages follow your example.

Alan SHARP, New Zealand.